‘Reports of assaults and robberies involving the use of acid or other corrosive substances have increased in profile recently, with questions being asked as to how offenders who attack or threaten people with such substances are dealt with by the courts. In its guidelines for judges and magistrates, the Sentencing Council is clear that use of a corrosive substance is a factor that shows high culpability on the part of the offender.’

‘Last week, the High Court rejected a claim for judicial review, brought by the NGO “Campaign Against the Arms Trade” against the Secretary of State for International Trade, regarding the exporting of arms to Saudi Arabia. The judges presiding over the case were Lord Justice Burnett and Mr Justice Haddon-Cave. It is argued here that there are several important questions to be asked about the approach to judicial deference taken in this case. They relate to the ‘behind-the-scenes’ role that deference may have played in the judges’ approach to complex factual material in this case, and the extent to which further clarity, as to the treatment of such material in future cases, may be desirable.’

‘A challenge to the legality of UK’s sale of arms to Saudi Arabia has failed. The claim sprang from the conflict in Yemen and the border areas of Saudi Arabia. It focussed on airstrikes conducted by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia in support of the legitimate government of Yemen against the Shia-led Houthi rebellion. UK arms export policy states that the government must deny licenses for sale of arms to regimes if there is a ‘clear risk’ that the arms ‘might’ be used in ‘a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law. This in turn is based on the EU Common Position 2008/944/CFSP on arms export control, which explicitly rules out the authorising of arms licences by Member States in these “clear risk” circumstances.’

‘The head of the Metropolitan police’s anti-knife initiative, Operation Sceptre, has admitted past failures in engaging with communities most affected by youth violence, amid criticism of the force’s latest strategy to tackle the problem. But DCS Michael Gallagher said that for the latest phase of its strategy to reduce knife crime – launched after recent police figures showing a rise of 24% in the past year in London – the Met was ready to work with civil society groups to find joint solutions to the problem.’

‘The home secretary, Amber Rudd, has authorised a more powerful Taser stun gun to be issued to police officers in England and Wales despite concerns over a number of deaths and serious injuries connected with their use.’